Dr. Rockoff received his undergraduate degree from Yeshiva College with the distinction of Summa Cum Laude. He received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His internship and two years of Pediatric residency were at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, followed by training in Dermatology at the combined residency program at Tufts and Boston Universities. Dr. Rockoff is certified by both the American Board of Dermatology and the American Board of Pediatrics.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Is keloid removal necessary? What are the treatments for
keloids?
The methods now available to treat keloids are:
Cortisone injections (intralesional steroids): These are safe and not very painful. Injections
are usually given once per month until the maximum benefit is obtained.
Injections are safe (very little steroid gets into the bloodstream) and usually help
flatten keloids; however, steroid injections can also make the flattened
keloid redder by stimulating the formation of more superficial blood vessels.
(These can be treated using a laser; see below.) The keloid may look better
after treatment than it looked to start with, but even the best results leave
a mark that looks and feels quite different from the surrounding skin.
Surgery: This is risky,
because cutting a keloid can trigger the formation of a similar or even larger
keloid. Some surgeons achieve success by injecting steroids or applying
pressure dressings to the wound site after cutting away the keloid. Radiation
after surgical excision has also been used.
Laser: The pulsed-dye
laser can be effective at flattening keloids and making them look less red.
Treatment is safe and not very painful, but several treatment sessions may be
needed. These may be costly, since such treatments are not generally covered by insurance plans.
Silicone sheets: This
involves wearing a sheet of silicone gel on the affected area for several
hours a day for weeks or months, which is hard to sustain. Results are
variable. Some doctors claim similar success with compression dressings made
from materials other than silicone.
Cryotherapy: Freezing
keloids with liquid nitrogen may flatten them but often darkens the site of
treatment.
Interferon: Interferons are proteins produced by
the body's immune systems that help fight off
viruses, bacteria, and other challenges. In recent studies, injections of
interferon have shown promise in reducing the size of keloids, though it's not
yet certain whether that effect will be lasting. Current research is underway
using a variant of this method, applying topical
imiquimod (Aldara), which
stimulates the body to produce interferon.
Fluorouracil: Injections of
this chemotherapy agent, alone or together with steroids, have been used as well
for treatment of keloids.
Radiation: Some doctors have reported safe and effective use of radiation to treat keloids.
Acne is a localized skin inflammation as a result of overactivity of oil glands at the
base of hair follicles. This inflammation, depending on its location, can take the form
of a superficial pustule (contains pus), a pimple, a deeper cyst, congested pores, whiteheads, or blackheads. Treatments vary depending on the severity of the acne.
Ingrown hairs may be caused by improper shaving, waxing or blockage of the hair follicle. Symptoms and signs of ingrown hairs include itching, tenderness, and small red pus bumps. Ingrown hairs usually heal on their own, but topical antibiotics, chemical depilatories, and hair-removal laser may be used in the treatment of ingrown hairs.
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
Burns are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree. First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury. The depth and size of the wound incision and the location of the injury impact the scar's characteristics, but your age, heredity and even sex or ethnicity will affect how your skin reacts.
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